Tuesday, February 21, 2012

FOOD & FLOWERS

Hi everyone. It's been a few typical winter days here in my world. The sun is not cooperating today and I have nowhere to go so I thought I would sit down and do a post. These are flowers that are still going strong since Valentine's Day. They were given to Abby from her boyfriend, Tom. She also received chocolates, which I helped her devour. I received a chocolate rose from The Husband which was hollow...don't you hate that?Things are very slow here this time of year. You really have to make your own fun. I go crazy if I don't get out of the house, just a quick trip to the store can give me a different perspective. It must be the fresh air. Alas, I couldn't get The Husband out of the house this past weekend. He is loving the family room and his new television. We are not people who go to movies so we rent them With the Academy Awards just around the corner, we got caught up on some newer movies...Moneyball, The Ides of March, Contagion and The Help. I read The Help over a year ago and I was so happy that the movie was so true to the book. The actresses portrayed the characters perfectly. So it was a very quiet weekend with a lot of movies and popcorn. Last week I had the whole family over for dinner. Have you ever heard of Irish nachos? I ordered them at our favorite pub a few weeks ago and took a picture. I then replicated it as an appetizer before our dinner Thursday. In a nutshell, you make waffle fries and then sprinkle chopped green onions and tomatoes over them, then top them with the cheese that you buy in the jar. Do not use shredded cheese, it turns to glue! I mound everything on a festive plate before I pour the hot cheese on. You can then garnish them with more green onions or even bacon bits as they did in the restaurant. Yum!I had my butcher make up Polish chickens for me. I have no idea why they are called that. It is both chicken breasts stuffed with homemade sausage. One will be enough for two people. This is the before......and this is them out of the oven with the string cut off and sliced in half. This is how I serve them on the buffet. It's possible that your butcher can make these up for you or you can try it yourself. I take the easy way out!I also made potatoes roasted with rosemary and butter. Corn, a simple pasta salad and a loaf of French bread finished off the meal. We had cheesecake for dessert. I usually set the table even if we are having a buffet, but this time I just stacked the plates and silver.I found these pretty hydrangeas at a little grocery store. I don't usually shop there because it is so small and the prices are high, but they do have a nice floral section with things I don't expect. I found my rosemary plant there {which died...sob}. So, that is about all I have been up to. I made a trip to the mall with Abby last week and although I am not really a mall person, we had a great time. I was looking for a dress to wear to a dinner party we are going to Saturday night. I have a few nice dresses and some dressy tops that I could wear with black pants, but it's always nice to know you have something new on. I couldn't find anything I liked though so I have to resort to what I have in my closet. The couple hosting the party live in the oldest house in their town. There is a ballroom on the third floor that used to be used for town hall meetings. I was there for a Christmas party just after they moved in...I am wondering what they have done with this ballroom! I will let you know.

I hope all of you are having a good week. Hopefully you are having nice weather. It is cold and really gloomy here...looks like rain. Well, I guess that is February for you! See ya! :-)

82 comments:

Hi Janie, I just love your posts!... that is so funny about hating the chocolate rose that was hollow!.... I am like you, I want SOLID chocolate... (I hate it when the bunnies ears are hollow at Easter too... we must be true connoisseurs of chocolates!)... your hydrangeas are so pretty!... I love small markets rather than the big stores... you always find the nicest things in them... your Irish nachos look delish!... Jack is Irish, so I must try them... yum!... I can't wait to hear about your dinner party and the ballroom, that must be some house!... always love catching up with you... you have the cutest sense of humor!... do you still love your new purse? Everyone wants mine!... xoxo Julie Marie

Hi Jane! It is nice to be back and able to catch up on a few blogs. I can't wait to hear about the party. Is it being held IN the ballroom? What fun that would be. Your dinner looks wonderful. Hubby's grandmother used to serve Polish chicken. She grew up in Chicago...and she was Polish- xo Diana

It was a nice day here in Pa. today. Sunny til late afternoon. By Thurs. it will be 62 degrees!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT, I am READY for Spring!!!! I hate cold, just hate it. Always wished I lived in a warm climate. XO, Pinky I didn't get a thing for Valentine's, we were away and it was not possible. But I didn't mind.

You have been a busy girl...your cooking looks fab and tasty!Its fun duplicating the creations from restaurants!That was kind of hubby to get you the chocolate for Valentines Day!Love hearing all your news!Happy week dear xoSpring is just around the corner...a little birdie told me so :)

Let me know the next time you are making that menu for dinner and I'll be over, Jane! : ) That really looks delicious. I am so tired today after a bad night's sleep that I have no idea what I am making for dinner. I am hoping that hubby will be working a little late and will grab something with his boss. It was a cloudy gray day here, as well, which didn't make it any better. I should have just taken a nap, but when I plan a nap, it doesn't happen.

Well, you know the new furniture is a hit if the hubby is spending time in the room watching television. How did you like Moneyball? I tried to talk my hubby into buying it from cable this weekend but he wasn't interested.

I'm glad to hear that there is someone else that doesn't go to the movies, sometimes I feel like I'm the only one. I don't know, it's just not my thing. I'd rather go out to eat. Speaking of eating, those waffle fries look sooo good, Jane! Of course, I love all your flowers too :)

Hi Jane - we're both on the hunt for something to wear - I am getting frustrated!Those chickens look very good - I love the idea of making them for a buffet dinner. I hope you have a good time at the dinner party, and let us know about that ballroom. What a house it must be!

The hydrangeas are lovely ! And the meal sounds delicious ... it's nice to have family in ... not too many frills needed. It does make a difference to get out of the house, doesn't it? just the fresh air, even if there is no sun, and seeing what others are up to.

The food looks delicious. I cannot stand the hunt for a dress, it wears me out. I am glad we do not go to functions any more that require me to dress up. I am longing for spring and in that vein I potted indoor house plants today into vintage urns.

Hi Jane, My husband Stush, is pure Polish and I was telling him about how you made Polish chicken and he said it had to be stuffed with kabasi and I said you said it was homemade saugage and he said it was made with kabasi( I don't know if I'm spelling it right)was there Kabasi in it? Just curious!Oh, the ballroom sounds just wonderful take pics if you can! Love the flowers, it's been a mild winter here in Pa. but I'm still longing to see some green!

Well my goodness you have been a busy gal in the kitchen lately...I am drooling over the Irish Nachos...so something I would love to eat and I had to giggle at your hallow rose...boo, I hate hallow chocolate too, should be outlawed :)

HI JANE!!!MY PERFECT kind of weekend...staying home...I like staying home...I am a busy person maybe that is why.....I loved your irish nachos, I am going to make those!!!!VERY yummy looking, I am dieting for our son's wedding, so everything looks so good to me......I should just give up, and EAT!!!!!I hate hollow chocolate too...such a waste......but a choc rose would be really pretty!!!HOPE your week is sunny!!!Going to be near 80 here this week....YEAH for that!!!hugs,jamie

Sunshine & blue skies but very chilly with frost on the grass and car in the morning.I'm making my own entertainment too this week. Doing some scrapbooking and reading, too cold to be in the garden at present.Your Irish nachos sound divine, anyting with fried potatoes & cheese has my name on it.The chicken looked yummy too.Hope the rest of your week is good have a great time on Saturday and let us know what's happening with that ballroom!

Your meal looks delicious-I bet that chicken is divine!I wish I could send you some of our nice Southern weather. It is going to be in the seventies today-I hope no one interupts me-I want to work in the garden!

Your food is looking amazing. I can't wait to try the Irish Nachos....we love stuff like that.I've never heard of Polish Chicken. I am amazed at how different we all eat. From different parts of the country, recipes change so much.

I think your quiet weekend sounds cozy!! And yes, I hate it when they fool you with hollow chocolate!!!We are having a spring wave here in NJ. It's 60 degrees here! It is REALLY WEIRD and it worries me! We've only had snow 2 times this winter! Only one was a true snow, foot and a half. The second only a few inches! Do you think I should worry??Have an awesome week!xxDaniella

Hi Jane:)Your flowers are beautiful and your food just made me so hungry:0 I have never heard of Polish chicken and I'm Polish! But boy do they look delicious. Our temps were in the 50's her in CT. Spring is just around the corner. Can't wait to get out into the garden and play. Hope you are having a wonderful week:)~Debra xxxCapers of the vintage vixens

Good thing you don't live where I do, you would really go stir crazy! After Labor Day it clears out till May. I like it though, peaceful and quiet. We have had lots of sunny days and mild for NY, makes me happy!.Your dinner looks good, and the flowers are pretty!I made yeast doughnuts, Alton Brown's recipe. Come over and have a look! :)

Sounds like quite a nice weekend with the movies, good food and treats, Jane. :) I haven't had dinner yet and the photos of the Polish Chicken and Irish Nachos are making my stomach growl! Will have to try these recipes soon!

Was March of Ides as good as the reviews say? I'd hoped to see it in the theater because I enjoy Ryan Gosling (for his acting skills, of course...) but never made it. I just got an email from my local library that my hold on the DVD is up so I can pick it up tomorrow.

Hope the weather brightens up soon for you--it's going to be 70 here in NC tomorrow and I can't wait!

Hi Jane, I love Polish food, but that is what you get when you marry one who has Polish ancestor. My hubby still has distant cousins who live in Poland. I got chocolates for Valentine's and needless to say I didn't share that well. Have you seen the bacon roses? My niece made a dozen for her hubby. I am looking forward to hearing about your party. Have a wonderful weekend. Your Missouri Friend.

Hi Jane, loved your flowers! It's that time of year we need them more than ever! I also had a good LOL -- yes, I don't like hollow chocolate either! Just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog, loved seeing you there. Have a wonderful day! xoxo

Hi jane,It's a grey day today, but the weather has been fantastic. Very warm for this time of year in Massachusetts. We have all been saying how much we didn't miss the snow this year. Last year was a bit over the top.

I love Hydrangeas, and yours are lovely. Thanks for posting the food, now I'll remember to defrost something for dinner.

What a beautiful blog! I just noticed you have joined me; thank you. I had to come for a visit and it is so nice to see your flowers, that chicken,your writing. You are a breath of Springtime.So happy I found you. We are in for a snow snow storm in my corner.Rita

Hi Jane~~we are getting some sunshine this morning..yay!Your dinner looks wonderful!I know what you mean about wearing something new for an evening out. It makes you feel a little special.Even if it's just a new pair of earrings.xxoo

Those Irish nacho look great, I can't wait to tell my Irish girlfriend, I know she will make them for sure. The family room is looking great and I can't blame your husband for not wanting to go out. I know my husband can't wait to have the basement finished so we can have a proper movie night.

Your daughter's flowers are beautiful. I've never heard of Irish nachos, but after seeing how good yours look, I am going to have to make some. I don't think it's just because I'm starving right now that your picture made my mouth water. Glad you hear you and your family are doing well.

Wow, I am coming over to eat at your house! The Irish nachos look incredible. We will have to try those. The chicken sounds fabulous too! I just love it when flowers keep looking great! Have a wonderful weekend!

Ha! the dreaded HOLLOW chocolate rose made me giggle! "give me more chocolate please"! Mmmm, those Irish Nachos look delish! Ya gotta love the slow time of the year don't ya? Comfort food, movies, a little shopping...February is goooood! Have a terrific weekend, I'll be glued to the tv on Oscar night!

Hi, I'm so glad you stopped by and left a comment! I love the photo of the hydrangea, it's colors so beautifully soft. I would love to see some pictures of your garden journal! Mine is mostly just me blabbing about my garden and what's blooming and what I did that day, but I haven't kept any records of what's where. I'm doing good to record something new I purchased!

Regarding the chocolate, I prefer hollow over solid. Strange huh? I like the fact that you can break it apart and eat bits of it instead of the chunk of solid that is heavy and rich. Those nachos sure do look good! We love nachos, but have never tried that recipe before. Thanks for sharing it.

Hi, I just love the way the Polish Chicken looks. The roasted potatoes are a favorite at my home these days. They are so much healthier that fries or mashed pots. Really tasty. Hang in there Spring will be here soon. xoxo, Ginger

It all looks andsounds VERYcozy, Jane! I betyou will enjoy theOscars on yourbeautiful TV! Wehave only seen ahandful of the moviesup for awards, butit is still fun, anyway,to buy into all theglamour for one night!

YUMMO! What a great dinner! :) Those appetizers look deee-vine and the Polish Chickens look wonderful too. :) To bad you didn't find a dress...:( That is always so frustrating... I need to find one for a wedding Friday night... ugh!

The sun was shining here today Jane but windy ~ this of course after they predicted a good old fashion snow storm which never happened. I love the mixed bouquets ~ I just sorted through mine from Valentines day and put it in a smaller vase ~ so pretty and they last so long! Can't wait to hear about the dinner party and the ballroom! Happy week-end. xo

The chicken looks great. My husband won't eat sausage, so I probably won't get to try this one...but, I'd like it!

I'm dress hunting right now too. My niece's wedding is at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago...outside...evening...June.So, it could be hot or it could be breezy. It is so hard to find something stylish with a jacket or a sleeve. I no longer want my arms "out"! Plus, I no longer can wear heels and still walk. So...short of wearing orthopedic shoes and a granny dress, I'm not sure what I'll end up with. Not easy.

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